| S |
|
68% |
| P |
|
78% |
| U |
|
63% |
| R |
|
72% |
| S |
|
65% |
| = |
|
69.2% |
Form Guide March
P W D L F-A GD Pts
5 3 2 0 8-2 6 10
1 Cup Match - Carling
Cup Final counted
as a draw!
Pos:- 11th
· February 2009 figures
· Last year's figures
March 2008
With clearly the best points score since August 2004, March 2009 stands out as a fantastic month for Spurs, despite opening with a penalties defeat in the Carling Cup Final. Even in that "defeat" our heads were held high. It's just a shame that Harry Redknapp decided not to practice penalties.
During the course of the month we played four Premier League games, winning three and drawing one of them, lifting ourselves up the table and virtually eliminating any possibility of relegation. A win in the early kick off game at Ewood Park on Saturday would even put us in seventh place for an hour or two. It is incredible, isn't it? (Spurs have gained over a quarter of their total points for the season from these last four league games!)
Like him or not (and he does have his foibles!), manager Harry Redknapp deserves all the credit in the world for lifting Spurs to this position in the 5 months he has been here.
So, what has led to Spurs' resurgence in their last 6 league games in which they have been undefeated? Is it (in no particular order):-
1. The fact that club captain Ledley King has managed 4 of those 6 games, plus the Carling Cup Final?
2. The arrival of Wilson Palacios, allowing Jermaine Jenas more opportunities to express himself and assist the front players to a greater degree?
3. The return of the prodigal son - Robbie Keane? Robbie arrived and was immediately made team captain, to cater for the situation where Ledley cannot play all games. Spurs have not lost any of the 6 games in which Robbie has played. This month, Robbie has scored twice, and all but scored the winner at Villa Park, which was claimed on the line by Darren Bent. In Spurs' two biggest results ( at Villa Park and at home to Chelsea), Robbie was excellent in the zone between his midfield and the front runner (which was Bent in those two games).
4. The fact that Harry Redknapp has been able to play a settled side after elimination from Cup competition (effectively ceded in the UEFA Cup in February)?
5. The confidence placed in Heurelho Gomes and the return gained from the player of increasing great form? Gomes made some great saves in the last game against Chelsea - especially the low dive to keep out John Terry's late header.
6. The incredible continuing form of Aaron Lennon and Luka Modric? These two have been neck and neck all season in the individual form stakes, but this month, Lennon has edged ahead with some fine match-winning moments. Aaron scored two goals in the 4-0 drubbing of Middlesbrough, had plenty to do with the winner at Villa Park, and capped that with his pass to Modric for the superb winner against Chelsea. Aaron's England call-up was fully justified.
The answer to the question is of course a combination of all the factors listed above, but you could also mention the increased confidence and morale that comes with results. David Bentley and Tom Huddlestone have been somewhat marginalised, now that Spurs are on a one game a week programme, and even Roman Pavlyuchenko has had to give way to top scorer Darren Bent, who has also now been rewarded with an England call-up. Bent has played effectively ahead of Keane, defending from the front, winning valuable balls and adding to the pressure put on Spurs opponents. Zokora and Corluka have not been automatic choices this month, and with Alan Hutton and Jermain Defoe returning to training there will be plenty of competition for places in the run-in, where incredibly Spurs could qualify for Europe through a high league position.
Let's hope that Spurs keep their rich vein of form going at Ewood Park on Saturday!
Don't forget to check out the cumulative appearances and grades for the squad below.
...if you want to remind yourself of the matches played during this month, then See the Fixtures page here. By working your way back through the previous month's figures, you can review the performances over the last 9 years!
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